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Russian shelling in east Ukraine kills at least 15
Russian shelling in east Ukraine kills at least 15
World
by  AFP

A Russian missile struck an apartment building in eastern Ukraine on Sunday, killing at least 15 people as Moscow's forces sought to consolidate their control over the Donbas region. Having fought long battles to capture the last areas of the neighbouring region of Lugansk, Russian troops are now turning their focus to Donetsk as they look to take control of the whole Donbas region.

UK Tory leader race expands to nine, with early focus on tax
UK Tory leader race expands to nine, with early focus on tax
World
by  AFP

Former UK defence secretary Penny Mordaunt on Sunday became the ninth Conservative MP to launch a bid to replace Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as the already fractious race promptly focused on tax. Current finance minister Nadhim Zahawi -- only appointed to the post Tuesday -- and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps have also launched bids.

Two bar shootings leave 19 dead in South Africa
Two bar shootings leave 19 dead in South Africa
Africa
by  AFP

Two bar shootings, one in a township close to Johannesburg and another in eastern South Africa, left 19 dead, police said on Sunday. Most of the unrest occurred in Johannesburg and the eastern province of Kwazulu-Natal as South Africans protested the sentencing and incarceration of former President Jacob Zuma.

Laughter, piano at vacant Sri Lanka presidential palace
Laughter, piano at vacant Sri Lanka presidential palace
World
by  AFP

Sri Lanka's colonial-era presidential palace has embodied state authority for more than 200 years, but on Sunday it was the island's new symbol of "people power" after its occupant fled. Rajapaksa, 73, fled the presidential palace on Saturday using a back entrance under military cover.

Sri Lanka's turmoil explained
Sri Lanka's turmoil explained
World
by  AFP

Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said he will resign in the coming days after protesters stormed his residence and forced him to escape offshore in a naval ship. Mahinda quit as prime minister -- escorted by security forces from his residence -- but Gotabaya clung on and appointed veteran politician Ranil Wickremesinghe, 73, as premier.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds talks Sunday in Thailand as part of a renewed US effort to engage Southeast Asia, a key area of competition with China, and as he seeks new ideas on restoring democracy in Myanmar.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken holds talks Sunday in Thailand as part of a renewed US effort to engage Southeast Asia, a key area of competition with China, and as he seeks new ideas on restoring democracy in Myanmar.
World
by  AFP

Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Sunday hailed Thailand's role in the renewed US push in Southeast Asia, a key area of competition with China, on a trip where he also sought new ideas on how to restore democracy in Myanmar. In a joint statement signed by Blinken and Don, the United States and Thailand called democracy "essential" to the two countries' idea of Asia.